AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 26 February 1934, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

KING’S THEATRE “STATE FAIR” OPENS i “State Fair,” a simple and wholly delightful story of American provincial life, opened to excellent houses at the King’s Theatre on Saturday. The theatre : was practically full for both the afternoon and evening presentations, and there is every indication that this most charming of American productions will I draw capacity houses throughout the Gisborne season. With such stars as 1 Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers in the lead, “State Fair” would be bound to make a hit, but when these two are supported by so many other outstanding screen artists —Lew Avres, Sally Filers, Norman Foster, and Louise Dresser —-it possesses an irresistible appeal. “State Fair” abounds with a delightful homely type of humor, and in it Will I Rogers is seen at his best as an AmoriI ,a,r farmer whose champion hog, “Blue i Roy,” is the, apple of his eye. Based on the Literary Guild prize novel by Phil 1 Strong, a newspaperman who was born and raised on a farm, the picture- gives a true and sympathetic insight into the character of'the men and women who live close to the soil, and to whom the State Fair is the great event of theii lives. While most of the action takes place in the festive setting of the fair, it revolves about the adventures, _ romances, anti aspirations of a farm family. “State Fair” is an example of what intelligent story selection and perfect casting can accomplish, and when i such outstanding players as those mentioned are presented in a story so rich ill romance, comedy and plot, the result is nothing less than delight. Facli .star lends color and conviction to the type of role in which he or she excels, and all of these characterisations are woven round an absorbing drama of every-day people. In Janet Gaynor and Lew Avres, and Sally Filers and Norman Foster, “State Fair” introduces two new romantic combinations. The double romance involving these favorites is one of the salient appeals of the picture. The other is the inimitable comedy of Will Rogers, who without question has the finest role ol his brilliant career. “State Fair’s” Gisborne season will ! conclude to-morrow evening, and on Wednesday the chief attraction will be Siauicv Ltipino in “King of the Rit/.. ’ REGENT THEATRE FINE GEORGE ARLISS FILM In a character different from any he has portrayed during his long and brilliant career on stage and screen, George Arliss delighted capacity audiences at the Regent on Saturday in ‘ ‘ The Working. Man. ’ ’ Helms portrayed kings, potentates, statesmen,’ and geniuses, now he gives us a change from these somewhat remote people, and plays a genuine, down-to-earth I working mart. It is a vibrant Film, with a human, timely, and inspiring story, expertly directed, and magnificently acted, with a fast tempo that never lags. It is a drama of modern business and youthful folly in which the star appears a rather short-temper-ed but very soft-hearted .working man, who steals time from his own affairs to straighten out those of tho orphaned children of the man who was formerly his strongest competitor in business. Slightly reminiscent qf “The Millionaire,” but boasting a more dramatic story and even finer production values and cast:, “The Working Man” is said to furnish Arliss with his mosl likeable role in a story that contains mass appeal. As Reeves, grumpy bachelor head of a manufacturing concern, who goes fishing for a vacation only to find that the expedition loads him into tho greatest business battle of his life—■ against his own firm!—Arliss displays tt |! the qualities that have won him recognition as the finest character actor oa the screen to-day. It is a film filled with humor, and both dramatic and amusing situations, and played by a cast of all-star calibre. The supporting programme includes a musical revue, a Charlie Chase comedy, a travelogue, and a Cinosoiind Nows. The hex plans are now open for “The Private Life of Henry VIII,”

MAJESTIC THEATRE “BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD” A picture of the highest merit, and better worth seeing than any six ordinary pictures, is “Broadway to Holly-J wood,” now at the Majestic. Ic is 1 a graceful tribute by the cinema to the old art of vaudeville; and the art of the cinema itself, if that excursion into the past were the whole picture, it would still be worth vaudeville prices to see it; but “Broadway to Hollywood" accomplishes more, for it links up vaudeville with the modern film in a human story full of dramatic value, in which the acting of Alice Brady and Frank Morgan and east hits the highest level. The Hacketts, vaudeville artists through three generations, pass in the third generation to Hollywood, to which Mecca come at last the original Hacketts (Alice Brady and Frank Morgan) to see their grandson make pictures, and incidentally to snatch him from'the. woman-and-wine weakness that had dogged the males of die family. The first Mrs. Hackett Alice Brady) fought other women for ner husband! and kept him. The second Mrs. Hackett (Madge Evans) could not ight, and died. The third Mr. Hackett (played as hoy by Mickey Rooney, and as young man by Eddie Quillan) is un-married-and rollicking his way through Hollywood. The dramatic values of the picture are. so strong that one almost forgets to add that it has musical and dancing features, also color scenes of fascinating opulence; and the solo dancing to tunes famous in the ’nineties seems to bring hack artists and troupers who have long since passed beyond. I’here is a preliminary programme which depicts home life in many countries to the strains of “Home, Sweet Home,” ind which includes a news gazette and a comedy turn hv Burns and Allen. There will he a special after-sehom matinee for “Huckleberry Finn ’ on Tuesday at 4.15 js.ni., when the children of the unemployed will be admitted free of charge. OPERA HOUSE Geo. M. Cohan’s sparkling comedy, "Baby Cyclone,” will ne the lourtii production of the Gisborne Repertory Society, and will be presented ior a season of one night only at the Opera House on Thursday next, March 1. This farce, which is from the pen of the author of the famous comedy “Tho Ghost Train,” will probably be the most popular of the society’s offerings. A strong cast has the play well m hand under tlie direction of Mr. Frederic F. McCallum. and includes Misses June Irvine, Peggy Lange, and Madge Macaulay, Messrs. Malcolm Dobson, Hugo Wall, Frederic McCallum, Miss Mildred Hamilton, Messrs. Stanley Vincent, Richard Pearson, C. G. Fraser, David Lee, Noel Bull, 11. Bright, and Miss Amy Gray. The play abounds in witty dialogue and hilarious situations, and the booking indicates that “Baby Cyclone” wild play to a very large audience. The plan is now open at Tattersall and Bayly’s Patrons of the popular Tuesday dance held in the Blue Room are again reminded of the happy time in store for them to-morrow night, as advertised. Special attractions and an excellent dance programme have been arranged. An invitation is extended to the crow of H.M.S. Dunedin. Mrs. Aitken and her Melody Boys will provide the dance music.